[No Reply]

Here’s a thing. I have increasingly noticed when out riding how ignorant the majority of sportive riders seem to be. Before anyone attacks me, this is my opinion, based on my experience.

I’ve been a cyclist since 1982, when I left school. I’ve cycled hundreds of thousands of miles, commuting, racing, touring, and for pleasure. I ride between 150-200 miles a week, both commuting and Sunday ride too. I am old school. I always say hello to any cyclist, horse rider, pedestrian when I’m out.

But I have noticed a trend. For example, last weekend I did a 60 mile loop through the Trough of Bowland. Once I got to Dunsop Bridge, lots of small groups of cyclists passed me riding in the opposite direction, lots of solo riders too, all with their number tie wrapped to their bars. I would say that approximately 85-90% completely ignored me when I called out a greeting. Not a wave, grunt, nothing. Not even eye contact. I have also noticed another sinister trend which goes hand in hand with sportive routes. Littering the lane were lots of discarded energy gel wrappers. Are they aware that there’s nobody following them to pick up their crap? 

So why be so miserable and rude? And why be a litter lout? Is it a growing trend? Or is this the sort of people who are attracted to sportive rides?

Topic

[No Reply]

Actually not. Last weeks ride

Actually not. Last weeks ride made me mad to the point that I posted this on the forum. I have experienced both the ignorance and littering for a few years. Unless you would like me to list all the experiences? 

[jaymack]

Sadly the Ashdown Forest
Sadly the Ashdown Forest suffers a similar fate on a regular basis…

[Secret_squirrel]

“I have noticed a trend”

“I have noticed a trend”

Supplies 1 data point.  

[Rendel Harris]

brooksby wrote:

I had never imagined, not for one moment, that they peed on the move…

You wait until you hear what they do with a cycling cap in extremis…

[brooksby]

Steve K wrote:

One of the many, many reasons I could never have been a pro is that no way I would pee on the move.

I had never imagined, not for one moment, that they peed on the move…

[jaymack]

Audax is still a thing,
Audax is still a thing, honestly. And it’s still the best way to share time with like minded people

[Shades]

One of the joys of cycling is

One of the joys of cycling is you can ride the same bike wearing the same kit on the same road as your pro hero; problem is some people take themselves a bit too seriously.  

[Rendel Harris]

Perhaps an “authorised litter

Perhaps an “authorised litter zone” as in pro races might work (as I noted below, a significant number of sportive riders like to act as if they’re full-on pros for the day, so maybe they’d like this extra bit of make believe?) along with a warning that anyone seen littering will be immediately pulled, as they do with dangerous riding?

 

[stuartdbuchanan]

My daughter and I encountered

My daughter and I encountered a large amount of litter when part of our route followed that of a Sportive that had taken place earlier in the day.  We ended up picking up quite a bit as it was in a particularly scenic and otherwise pristine bit of countryside. 

Being generous, one might accept that it is just a function of the volume of riders all consuming the free gels. 

However, irrespective of whether it is intentional or not, it is the responsibility of those running the event to ensure that their event has minimal environmental impact, which includes cleaning up any litter. 

This particular Sportive _did_ run a litter clear-up afterwards, but I’m sceptical whether it was effective. It’s going to be hard to spot a gel wrapper in the verge from a moving vehicle.

So doing it properly means having a litter crew walk the entire route.  For a 160km Sportive that probably means a crew of 10.  Presumably Councils license  the running of Sportives, particularly if they require road closures.  IMO this should just form part of the license requirements.

[AlsoSomniloquism]

I mainly do closed road ones.

I mainly do closed road ones. Yes they cost alot but plenty of room to avoid bad cyclists and no real need to stop- start or have to worry about 1 tonne killing machines coming up behind. Downside is normally the cycle back to the base of operations as I have to remember normal road rules are back. 

[chrisonabike]

Could have been worse…

Could have been worse…

[chrisonabike]

Bingo!

Bingo!

I’ve also been perplexed at finding e.g. inner tubes dumped places.  Much more often than I’d expect.  Really, people?  Presumably they were already carrying a spare so it’s not like the weight would have increased if they’d taken the old one home. Or just to the nearest bin.

[No Reply]

Yes that was it. No excuse

Yes that was it. No excuse for ignorance though. It seems to be a trend with what I call new cyclists, the ones which took it up after the 2012 Olympics. Typically have a matt black carbon bike, matt black wheels and wear black clothing, or Rapha.

The littering really gets me angry. There is no need at all, if you can carry a gel or bar in your pocket, you can carry an empty wrpper folded up.

[No Reply]

The very worst riding I have

The very worst riding I have ever witnessed is on the Manchester to Blackpool. I have never ridden it, but many times whilst out on my Sunday run, I’ve happened upon it. It seems to bring out the very worst type of cyclist, the very ones which make the motorists seethe. I’ve seen them riding four and five abreast on busy main A roads, wobbling all over, wandering across the carriageway without looking, I’ve seen literally dozens riding through red lights on busy junctions, dodging traffic. 

 

[mdavidford]

Steve K wrote:

One of the many, many reasons I could never have been a pro is that no way I would pee on the move.

Apparently, the number of sportives using it was the main reason for leaving Blackberry Way.

[Author]

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